The Monongahela mayor, who was arrested on Tuesday on a charge of theft by deception when a Washington County couple accused him of not repaying a loan of nearly $4,000, said he did not steal the money.
“I am not a thief,” said Robert Kepics, 56, who was taken to the Washington County Jail, then released when a bondsman posted bail. “I'm on disability. I only make $1,400 a month. I have been trying to pay back as much as I can.”
Kepics, a former Monongahela city councilman who was elected mayor in 2008, was charged after a New Eagle couple, John and Shirley Amon, filed a complaint with District Judge Mark Wilson in Monongahela that states that Kepics borrowed $3,935 from them on April 25, 2011.
The Amons said he repaid $1,400 seven months later, promising to get the rest soon. They said he agreed in July to try to repay $100 a month but has only made two payments, the last one in September.
Court papers show the charge was approved by the Washington County District Attorney's Office.
“I was making payments to these people. I have the receipts,” said Kepics, who called the Amons friends who lived in the same neighborhood where he was raised.
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